TAMPA, Fla. – The Pentecost Foundation – established in honor of teacher-turned-entrepreneur Mark Pentecost – recently made a $3 million gift to Moffitt Cancer Center to support the research at the forefront of curing his multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer.

After receiving life-changing treatment as a patient at Moffitt, Pentecost and his family decided to put this transformational gift toward funding a program that focuses on researching personalized therapies, which is being done in a brand-new lab on Moffitt’s campus.

While researching the options for where he would receive treatment, Pentecost considered a handful of the nation’s top cancer centers before deciding on Moffitt. As a multiple myeloma patient, he understands the need to develop an approach that personalizes treatment for each patient.

“The reality of multiple myeloma is that for even those who may be asymptomatic, finding a treatment that works can be a long, difficult journey, affecting the entire family,” said Pentecost, founder and CEO of the Bradenton-based company It Works! “I’m hopeful this gift will be the catalyst needed to transform how we manage, treat – and ultimately cure – multiple myeloma.”

Doctors Rachid Baz and Kenneth Shain are overseeing the research being done in the new lab, which will be unveiled in a dedication ceremony this fall.

“Changing the way treatment decisions are made will lead to better uses of the available therapies, sparing some patients the toxicities of ineffective treatment and ultimately improving patient outcomes,” said Baz, Pentecost’s doctor and myeloma section head in the Department of Malignant Hematology.

Pentecost’s generous gift will allow Moffitt researchers to conduct their studies in a more efficient and convenient way.

“These funds will help us continue finding revolutionary ways to treat multiple myeloma patients by integrating our research space and allowing for more aggressive means of studying this disease,” Shain said.

About Moffitt Cancer CenterMoffitt is dedicated to one lifesaving mission: to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer. The Tampa-based facility is one of only 49 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, a distinction that recognizes Moffitt’s scientific excellence, multidisciplinary research, and robust training and education. Moffitt is a Top 10 cancer hospital and has been nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report since 1999. Moffitt devotes more than 2 million square feet to research and patient care. Moffitt’s expert nursing staff is recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center with Magnet® status, its highest distinction. With more than 6,000 team members, Moffitt has an economic impact in the state of $2.1 billion. For more information, call 1-888-MOFFITT (1-888-663-3488), visit MOFFITT.org, and follow the momentum on Facebook, Twitter andYouTube.

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